Jill Urbach shares this email and video trailer for her new book. Check it out, it’s pretty cool! 

Hi Tim,

I told you at the fair that I’d let you know when the book trailer for my novel Two-Room Flat was finished. Well, it’s ready and up for viewing on YouTube. It was filmed locally and includes the talents of Grisha Krivchenia (who provided the original music), Aidan Anderson, Cheri Hancock, Kimberly Mapstead, Jillian Urbach, and Nicholas Zervas, among other off-camera contributors.

Even cooler, the trailer was noticed by USA Today and mentioned in this online article last Thursday.

The USA Today writer said, “This trailer for Two-Room Flat by Jill Urbach is so unique and funny that I watched it twice…The cast of actors is perfect and the music and setting really wonderful to hear and see. It’s got a topless hottie and a director screaming “More abs!” — what’s not to like?”

(And, NO, the “topless hottie” is NOT me! This is family-friendly viewing. 😉

My husband and I thought it was interesting that the writer mentioned the setting. We simply filmed it in a friend’s backyard. (Although, yes, it’s a pretty amazing backyard.) It’s easy to take our island for granted and forget just how beautiful and unique it seems to those who aren’t lucky enough to live here.

I’m so appreciative of everyone who shared their time and talents to help me make my book trailer, and grateful for all those who are spreading the word about Two-Room Flat. For more information about the novel, you can check out www.jillurbach.com.

Jill Urbach
Award-winning author of the romantic comedy, Two-Room Flat
www.jillurbach.com
www.facebook.com/Jill.Urbach.author
www.Twitter.com/jillurbach

On September 21, 2013 the San Juan Historical Society and Friday Harbor Grange #225, with help from Battery D and the National Park Reenactment Group, will transform the grounds of the San Juan Historical Museum into a Pioneer Festival demonstrating life of the early settlers on San Juan Island.

This year visitors may enjoy some of the annual festival frivolities including: a 5K run on Saturday at 7:00AM to start the day,

Stroll about the grounds and booths including commercial vendors, craft booths and community information booths. enjoy the events and demonstrations such as wool spinning, quilting, sheep herding and the historically accurate restored buildings on the grounds. Purchase handmade crafts from the artisan vendors and then take a break in the beer garden.

There is something for everyone at the Pioneer Festival! For the young or young at heart there will be face painting, three legged races, and sack races.

Enjoy some great entertainment on the festival’s Main Stage. Listen to music of the 1850s while enjoying the beer garden and enjoy hamburgers, hot dogs.

Admission is by donation.

Check out the poster for more information (PDF).

September 28 is World Rabies Day, a global health observance that seeks to raise awareness about rabies and enhance prevention and control efforts.

What is rabies? Rabies is an infectious viral disease that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. People get rabies from the bite of an animal with rabies. Any wild mammal, like a raccoon, skunk, fox, coyote, or bat, can have rabies and transmit it to people. Because rabies is a fatal disease, the goal of public health is first, to prevent human exposure to rabies by education and second, to prevent the disease by anti-rabies treatment if exposure occurs.

Most of the recent human rabies cases have been caused by rabies virus from bats. Other wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, foxes and coyotes can also be infected with the rabies virus and can spread the disease to humans. One of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from rabies exposure is to avoid contact with wild animals. Do not feed or handle them, even if they seem friendly and tame. Good advice for families and children is “Love your own, leave others alone.” when around wild or strange animals. Don’t pick up or touch dead animals as the rabies virus could be in their saliva or nervous tissue. Because house pets such as cats and dogs are often outdoors, be sure to get them vaccinated against rabies. Continue Reading

This email came in from Amy Wynn at the fitness center:

Howdy Neighbor!
I was wondering if we could get some of the lifeguard swims that we have open to children and families listed on your site. The cost is $5 per person plus tax. Buy a punch card and get 11 swims for the price of 10.

• After School at the Pool:
  Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3-4:30 pm
• Family Lifeguarded Swim:
  Tuesday/Thursdays 5:30-7 pm
  Saturday/Sunday 12noon-1:30 pm

Non-swimmers and children under six should be accompanied by an adult.

Did you know Tom has a new CD out? Here it is in his words…

I am happy to announce that my album “First Crossing” is nearly ready for public consumption and is just about completely setup on CD Baby, iTunes and a host of other worldwide distribution sites.
The album is an entirely acoustic guitar album inspired by the Grand Canyon and the San Juan Islands. It was originally recorded and released in cassette format in 1990. It was re-mastered locally by Cecil DeMeerleer in June 2013. Tim Dustrude did the CD cover photography and layout.
It is expected to ‘go live’ in the next 7-10 days for global sales opportunities, mostly in digital format. I am offering a ‘pre-release’ special before it hits the stores.
I am selling the CD for $10.00 each until the end of the month of September 2013, a little more than 2 weeks away. The price will then go back to the standard price of $12.99 disk, and $9.99 digital download when it becomes available on these sites and in local stores.
There will be a special offering in sales locally TBA that will also give a percentage away to a fund for helping local community individuals, projects and special assistance. For example; we have already donated money in advance of sales to Aaron D’Errico toward helping him achieve his dreams for his Soccer Ammon comic book.
Drop me a line at [email protected] to claim your copy at this special rate.
Please put SPECIAL PRICE in the subject line.

“Island Scenes, New Works, Driftwood Lamps” by San Juan Island artist Annie Howell Adams. She is an inspiring painting teacher and has numerous exterior murals at our local ACE Hardware and Roche Harbor. Please join us for her opening reception this Saturday from 4-7 pm at pm at Gallery 9 !

• When: 9/21/13
• Where: Gallery 9 / 60 First Street/ FH, WA
• Time: 4:00- 7:00 pm
• Artist: Annie Howell Adams

Guitars, Strings and Winds Highlight CMSJ Concert

Take two guitars, two violins, a cello, clarinet, viola and piano— mix them with eight internationally acclaimed classical musicians—and you have the recipe for a charming start to Chamber Music San Juans’ 26th season on Saturday, September 21 at 7:30 p.m. at San Juan Community Theatre.

CMSJ Artistic Director and clarinetist Patricia Kostek states, “This concert is the most diverse ever presented by the ensemble and will appeal to all musical tastes.” Two guitarists are featured on a delightfully charming Quartet by Fillipo Gragnani and on solo works for guitar. There will be compositions by Spanish (Rodrigo) and Mexican (Marquez) composers as well as a virtuoso clarinet quartet by Krommer ending with Brahms’ masterpiece, the Quintet in F minor for strings and piano.

The two guitarists joining the ensemble are Alexander Dunn, who heads what is considered one of Canada’s top guitar programs at the University of Victoria and Randy Pile, recitalist, concerto soloist and chamber musician who is also a touring artist for the California Arts Council. Also featured are Seattle Symphony pianist Jessica Choe, Los Angeles Opera Orchestra cellist Rowena Hammill-Davis, Seattle Symphony violinists Artur Girsky and Natasha Bazhanov and Pacific Northwest Ballet violist Tim Christie.

The Business Partner for this performance is KINGS Market. Tickets are $26 for adults and $13 for student reserved. $5 Student RUSH will be available at the door. A private donor has made provision for free tickets to anyone needing financial assistance to attend a Theatre event.

Join us Saturday Sept 21st for another exciting opening reception at WM McCauley Gallery; featuring the works of Barbara and Matt Dollahite. Come as you are, and enjoy the art and refreshments!

Barbara’s work is created using layers and layers of hand made paper. Each piece is hand colored with transparent watercolor then applied to a substrate and covered with a UV gel to protect the image. Time consuming with incredible results!

Matt’s impressionistic oil paintings of islands scenes often find their inspiration plein air. His works in a characteristic Northwest coastal palate can bring a viewer to a place of calm and serenity with their quiet settings, or give energy from dramatic vistas.

We will also have a new collection of works on paper from Joe Miller.

Exhibition runs through October 24th.

You may remember “Ruby”, as she was featured as our Pet of the Week a few months ago. Sadly, she is still waiting for a home to call her own so we thought we would re-introduce her. Ruby is about 7 years old, and recently lost her family, home and best dog-friend through no fault of her own. She is a delightful girl, and loves the companionship of humans, dogs and cats alike. She has been known to over-indulge in treats and needs to have regular walks and moderate exercise to help her stay trim. Please stop by the shelter to meet her soon! 111 Shelter Road, Friday Harbor.

Island Rec Drop-in programs are about to be in full swing once again, beginning the week of September 30th. The line up of fun for this fall starts with Badminton and Ping Pong Monday and Wednesday Nights, Basketball on Tuesdays, and Dodgeball on Thursdays.

All programs Ages 16 & up from 7-9pm at Turnbull Gym. New this year Island Rec is introducing pre-paid punch cards for $20, whether you go to multiple drop-ins or are a die-hard fan of just one, the punch card will allow you the ease of only needing to remember to bring yourself!

Come out and Play!

For more information call 378-4953 or visit www.islandrec.org.

The San Juan County Economic Development Council will present a FREE half-day workshop for small businesses and entrepreneurs on San Juan Island, on Wednesday, September 25, from 10:30am until 1pm. Advance registration is required.

The business and financing workshop course material will be presented by James McCafferty, of the Economic Development Association of Skagit County, a management consultant for over a decade.

As part of the workshop, McCafferty will cover business financing, discuss a variety of financing options and will provide a reality check for those considering a new or expanded business venture. He will be available for one-on-one consultation after the workshop.

Participants in the workshop will leave with the resources and support they need to create a business plan including a realistic financial plan. In addition, McCafferty will cover current federal and Washington State tax incentive programs for small businesses.

Details: Wednesday, September 25, from 10:30am until 1pm. The class will be held at the San Juan Island Library in the meeting room. Advance registration is required; please call 360-378-2906 to reserve your space, or email:
info [@] sanjuansedc [.] org.

The EDC thanks the San Juan Island Library, San Juan County government, the Town of Friday Harbor, the Port of Friday Harbor and the Port of Lopez for supporting our Business Education Series.

Here’s a note to you from Cathy Kromer…

I have been living and raising my family here in Friday Harbor for the past ten years. Recently, I decided to open a business and I am looking for approximately 2,000 sq ft of commercial rental property in downtown Friday Harbor. Although my new business doesn’t need to be right on Spring Street, it is necessary for there to be some tourist foot traffic in the summer. If you know of any space that is currently available or that might be coming available in the near future, please read on and I’ll explain my rather unique business circumstances.

I will be opening an indoor playplace for kids, geared for ages one to nine. This will not be a Chucky Cheese or a McDonald’s type playplace, but rather a more quiet, active, creative and social place to play, similar to the large children’s museums you see in bigger cities, but on a smaller scale. I would be open everyday during the summer months and several days a week during the rest of the year for our local kids. This is not a “drop off” center…I will not be running a daycare. Like the children’s museums on the mainland, there will be an admission charge and parents will stay with their children, taking part in the play if they wish or letting their child socialize and play with others. There will be no electronic toys, no computers, no flashing lights and noisy machines. Rather, we will create “make believe” play areas, such as a large wooden boat to captain, a kids’ campground for exploring, a soft toddler corner for crawling and climbing, a Lego area, a sand table, and much more. I plan to make the space available to rent for birthday parties, in addition to reaching out to the Family Resource Center and other community organizations so that the playplace can be enjoyed by all of our island children. Continue Reading

Council Chair Jamie Stephens presents the proclamation to DAR Regent Sharon Fishaut

At the September 10 meeting of San Juan County Council, Daughters of the American Revolution were presented with a proclamation of Constitution Week in San Juan County. Constitution week is Sept. 17 – 23

The tradition of celebrating the Constitution began in 1955 when the DAR petitioned Congress to set aside Sept. 17-23 annually for the observance of Constitution Week. The resolution later was adopted by the U.S. Congress and signed into Public Law 915 on Aug. 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

DAR representatives: (L to R) Past Regent Jean Thomas, Regent Sharon Fishaut, Vice-Regent Minnie Knych, Sue Rich, Susan Stickle, Melanie Correll.

The aims of the celebration Constitution week are to emphasize citizens’ responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution and preserving it for posterity; to inform the people that the Constitution is the basis for America’s heritage and the foundation for the American way of life; and to encourage the study of the historical events which led to the framing of the Constitution in 1787.

San Juan Island Grange #966 begins its 2013 Fall Lecture Series with a program on I-522: Labeling Genetically Engineered Foods on Wednesday September 18, 2013 at the Grange Hall. The program begins at 7pm, preceded by a potluck at 6pm—all are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Former San Juan Island resident Anne Mosness will discuss and advocate for I-522, an initiative relating to disclosure of foods produced through genetic engineering, which will be on the November ballot in Washington State. Anne commercially fished for salmon in Alaska and Washington for nearly three decades. In addition to discussing the initiative, Anne will also present information about genetically modified farmed salmon and their risks to wild fish and the economy, ecology, and culture of coastal communities.

I-522: Labeling Genetically Engineered Foods
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
San Juan Island Grange Hall
Program begins at 7pm, preceded by a 6pm potluck!

Growth Board Ruling Requires New Look at Buffers for Critical Areas
The Growth Management Hearings Board says more work is needed to protect critical areas in the county. “Overall, this is a positive ruling for the county,” said Prosecuting Attorney Randall K. Gaylord. “The Growth Board upheld the County’s extraordinary public participation process, the method of identifying and designating critical areas, and the site-specific approach to calculating buffer sizes.”

“The Growth Board did find fault with buffer sizes that don’t remove enough pollutants, and so there are definitely some decisions that the County Council will need to wrestle with,” added Gaylord.

Gaylord noted that there were 90 issues before the Growth Board that were raised by Friends of the San Juans, Common Sense Alliance, P.J. Taggares Company, William Wright and San Juan Builders Association. Of all the issues, only ten issues identified by the Friends of the San Juans resulted in a ruling against the County’s Critical Area Ordinances.

“I am pleased that the Growth Board was very specific in describing what needs to be fixed on several rather narrow issues,” added Gaylord. He said he expected the challengers to be active participants as the County Council moves forward.

The Growth Board decision will require adoption of revisions to the CAO Ordinances by March 5, 2014, with a hearing on compliance with GMA on April 24, 2014. “These dates work well because the existing ordinances will become effective on March 1, 2014.”

A copy of the Growth Management Hearings Board decision is available for download here or by contacting Elizabeth Halsey at the Prosecutor’s Office at 360-378-4101 or by email at
elizabethh [@] sanjuanco [.] com.

Get Certified For the Fall. First Aid is September 23rd 5:30-9:30pm at the Frank Wilson EMS Building. CPR is September 25th 5:30-8:30pm at Mullis Fire Station. Both classes are $27 each with the Early Registration Deadline September 20th. Hope to see you there.

For more information call 378-4953 or visit www.islandrec.org.